Despite lack of Test experience in South Africa, Ireland are ready to front up to hostile reception

“Loftus won’t be comparable to April. It’s the same ground but it will be a different animal.” 

HOSTILE RECEPTION: Captain Peter O'Mahony during a media conference after the Ireland rugby captain's run at St Peter's College in Johannesburg, South Africa. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Munster hard man and Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony has spent some time in recent years touring South Africa, but he’s never made the trip in the emerald green.

O’Mahony has amassed 105 Test caps since making his Test debut 12 years ago, led Ireland the Lions in a Test in New Zealand, and won the URC title with Munster in Cape Town. But in all that time he has never played a Test in South Africa.